At July 20 in Moscow at the residence of the Ambassador of France in Russia took part a gala-cocktail on the occasion of a retrospective of the legendary Maison Liaigre, which was opened  by Mr. Jean-Maurice Ripert, Ambassador of France in Russia, with his wife Mrs Yaël Blic Riper, and Mr. Christophe Caillaud, President of the company Christian Liaigre.

The Ambassador of France Mr. Ripert in his opening speech noted the significant contribution of Maison Christian Liaigre in the global development of design in Russian interior market, and also spoke about his personal sympathy and affection as a parisian, to the design of the famous Maestro Christian Liaigre. Mr. Caillod, President of Maison Liaigre, said about the honourfor Maison Liaigre to take the opportunity and to hold his retrospective in the historic Igumnov House, and how important it is for Christian Liaigre to be part of a creative and cultural exchange between France and Russia with the help of architecture, interiors and design. This is the  only way both countries can strengthen their artistic partnership in the XXI century, noted the President of  Maison Liaigre.

Over the last thirty years, Christian Liaigre has made himself known by his refined, high quality work. Through use of space and light, basing his design on local cultures and traditions, choice of materials and a special love of art and crafts, Christian Liaigre has managed to combine certain modesty with great elegance. Liaigre’s design ethos are rooted in the philosophy that interior architecture and design are far from fashion and trends, but are timeless, achieved by calm beauty and subtle luxury.

During the gala evening on 20th of July at the Residence of the Ambassador of France in Russia, all visitors will enjoyed a unique retrospective exhibition of the legendary house Liaigre, consisting of twelve iconic pieces of design created by the famous Maestro of minimalist chic in different years, including the Taman coffee table and the Naoi cupboard created in limited edition.

·       Phocée table with black marble top
·       Taman coffee table
·       Naoi cupboard
·       Nagato side table
·       Citron lamp in polished Bronze
·       Shelter chair
·       Eclipse side table
·       Amande floor lamp
·       Austral daybed
·       Naja coffee table
·       Pauillac cupboard
·       Aspre sofa
Three exquisitepieces of this exhibition – Naoi cabinet, Taman coffee table, Citron lamp, each item maintaining inherent characteristics of the Liaigre collection, crafted in the finest of materials with attention to details and handmade by top artisanal craftsmen, were presented this spring to a global audience during the exhibition AD Collections in Paris. All twelve items of the retrospective exhibition combine rare materials and textures: blue-black marble, rosewood, oak in lacquer “high gloss” finish, framed in patinated black and white bronze, and polished copper, unique leathers, but demonstrate at the same time pure, simple and subtle shapes Masterly proportions which demonstrate Christian Liaigre, can attribute these items to contemporaty minimalist design as well as to Art-Deco style, and boldly call them the art objects of postmodernism.

The evening was held in the atmosphere of French cocktail in a unique historical location in the heart of Moscow, where the most selective and sophisticated audience appreciated the exceptional hospitality of France, enjoying the gastronomic delights of French Haute cuisine and the finest champagne Taittinger, and got a great pleasure from communication with representatives of the business elite, art and culture of both countries – Russia and France. Among the guests were seen Catherine and William MacDougall (the auction house MacDougalls), Alexander Gafin (the banker), Andrew Zokin (banker), Dmitry Shevtsov (the entrepreneur), and also well-known Russian architects and designers – Irina Glik, Tatiana Mironova, Oleg Klodt and Anna Agapova, Irina Dimova, Olga Boyko and Roman Tutushkin, Ekaterina Fedorchenko and many others.
A memorable gift to all guests from Maison Liaigre has becomea musical performance by the famous Russian pianist and composer, winner of many prestigious international competitions, including the Competition named after Queen Elizabeth in Brussels and the Competition “Monte-Carlo Piano Masters” (Grand Prix of Prince Albert), actively touring worldwide – Vladimir Sverdlov-Ashkenazy, has a unique gift of improvisation. At the gala evening on the occasion of the retrospective of Maison Liaigre the famous pianist made changes to the intended programme in connection with the tragic events in Nice on July 14 and called his programm “Requiem”, performing a 32 variations in C Minor of Ludwig van Beethoven, Nocturne in D Flat Major and Ballade No. 1 in g Minor by frédéric Chopin, and two works of his own, which caused genuine delight and endless applause of grateful listeners, who appreciate the high art in music and design.

Wednesday , July 20, 19-00
Residence of the Ambassador of France in Russia
Moscow, Bolshaya Yakimanka, 43

Special thanks to the partner of the event, the company MBG, exclusively representing the champagne house Taittinger.